First global illegal fishing treaty in force

The first global treaty to stamp out illegal fishing is now in force in 29 countries and the European Union.

UN agency announces world's first illegal fishing treaty now in force https://t.co/uc9OWw2wj7 UN_News_Centre #IUU #overfishing

— Blue Planet Society (Seasaver) June 6, 2016

However, China and Japan, two major players in the world fisheries market are not signatories to the treaty.

The international treaty, called the Port State Measures Agreement is the first ever binding international treaty meant to specifically prevent, deter and eliminate illegal fishing.

The signatories are required to put in place a number of measures in their ports to detect illegal fishing, prevent illegal fish being unloaded and sold and to ensure sharing of information concerning unscrupulous ships globally.

“We hail those countries that have already signed onto the agreement and who will begin implementing it … We invite governments who have yet to do so, to join the collective push to stamp out illegal fishing and safeguard the future of our ocean resources,” the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization Director General Graziano da Silva said in a statement.

The treaty requires that parties assign specific ports for use by foreign vessels which should have requested permission to enter ports ahead of time and be subjected to inspection for signs of illicit catches

The FAO called on non-signatory governments to do so to put an end to illegal fishing and to ensure the survival of marine resources.

The global economy loses an estimated $20 billion annually due to illegal fishing.

AFP, FAO